Reach Out to Asia (Rota) has celebrated International Volunteer Day 2015 with a special event to recognise and reward the contributions made by Rota volunteers, both in Qatar and internationally.
The event acknowledged the important contribution made by Rota volunteers and provided a platform for volunteers, new and old, to network and learn from each other’s experiences.
In the last year, around 700 volunteers have been involved in Rota volunteering activities by taking part in both international volunteer trips and initiatives in Qatar, including the Ramadan 2015 Project, the Reach Into Qatar Project and the World Humanitarian Summit, according to a statement.
Rota’s Volunteer Programme has a database of more than 3,000 volunteers, inclusively engaging people from all sections of society regardless of age, nationality or gender, the statement notes.
In 2015, 65% of volunteers who participated in Rota’s Volunteer Programme activities were female, while 45% were Qatari nationals.
Mohamed al-Naama, acting executive director of Rota, said: “That we have achieved the success we have experienced is attributable to the amazing volunteers we at Rota are able to call upon.
“Without their dedication, hard work and inspiration, achieving our goal would be impossible and we offer our heartfelt thanks for the important contributions that they make. We want to use International Volunteer Day to celebrate this remarkable community of people.”
Also attending the event was Ibrahim al-Balushi, executive director of the TAMM Qatar Volunteers Network, an online initiative designed to connect volunteers with opportunities in Qatar.  
Al-Balushi, who gave a short demonstration of the services available from TAMM, said: “The aim of International Volunteer Day is to raise awareness of volunteer work as well as to encourage young people to take the initiative and provide ideas, particularly with regard to voluntary activities. Volunteering is an important part of our daily lives and has a positive impact on both the individual and the wider society.
TAMM has been co-founded by Rota, Silatech, Social Development Centre and Qatar Centre for Voluntary Activities.
International Volunteer Day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1985 and is now celebrated worldwide.